Is god real?

[Farnhamia]

Given all the billions of people who think he does exist, the odds are greatly in favor of him not existing by this. And anyway, the "paradox" is just silly.

I know, but it was humorous.

I admit that I did smile. Once.

[Aryan Shield]

I'm going to break one of my own rules and jump in on this one. The question should be;
Is God Real or Imagined?

The Answer of course is Both. As to Organized religion...I will give the following quote:

"Repetition does not transform a lie into truth"
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
1882 — 1945

In my enlightened opinion; I believe the following:
God is the creator of the universe; the power with no name, force responsible for the creation of all living and non-living things, symbolized by the Sun on Earth as the strongest form of that power.

It is only by an attempt of one who seeks power to control the population of his people; through the pretense of declaring himself a Prophet, that he gathers supporters and by doing so creates a nice flock of sheep. Sheep do what they are told; and if not, the Prophet and his supporters use every means to ensure obedience. Laws and customs purported to be "from God" are created and enforced. An entire ruling class over time is created as a result. This ruling class either directly or indirectly controls the governance of a nation of peoples. This creates the perversion of truth, but the sheep fall for the same repeated lie until it is ingrained into the heart and mind of the nation.

Thankfully; there are those that are enlightened and see the lie for what it is.

[Farnhamia]

I'm going to break one of my own rules and jump in on this one. The question should be;
Is God Real or Imagined?

The Answer of course is Both. As to Organized religion...I will give the following quote:

"Repetition does not transform a lie into truth"
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
1882 — 1945

In my enlightened opinion; I believe the following:
God is the creator of the universe; the power with no name, force responsible for the creation of all living and non-living things, symbolized by the Sun on Earth as the strongest form of that power.

It is only by an attempt of one who seeks power to control the population of his people; through the pretense of declaring himself a Prophet, that he gathers supporters and by doing so creates a nice flock of sheep. Sheep do what they are told; and if not, the Prophet and his supporters use every means to ensure obedience. Laws and customs purported to be "from God" are created and enforced. An entire ruling class over time is created as a result. This ruling class either directly or indirectly controls the governance of a nation of peoples. This creates the perversion of truth, but the sheep fall for the same repeated lie until it is ingrained into the heart and mind of the nation.

Thankfully; there are those that are enlightened and see the lie for what it is.

That's one "God is the Universe, Religion Sucks." Check. Your group is over in the second balcony, on the right.

[Deus in Machina]

I'm going to break one of my own rules and jump in on this one. The question should be;
Is God Real or Imagined?

The Answer of course is Both. As to Organized religion...I will give the following quote:

"Repetition does not transform a lie into truth"
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
1882 — 1945

In my enlightened opinion; I believe the following:
God is the creator of the universe; the power with no name, force responsible for the creation of all living and non-living things, symbolized by the Sun on Earth as the strongest form of that power.

It is only by an attempt of one who seeks power to control the population of his people; through the pretense of declaring himself a Prophet, that he gathers supporters and by doing so creates a nice flock of sheep. Sheep do what they are told; and if not, the Prophet and his supporters use every means to ensure obedience. Laws and customs purported to be "from God" are created and enforced. An entire ruling class over time is created as a result. This ruling class either directly or indirectly controls the governance of a nation of peoples. This creates the perversion of truth, but the sheep fall for the same repeated lie until it is ingrained into the heart and mind of the nation.

Thankfully; there are those that are enlightened and see the lie for what it is.

Indeed. Organized religions do tend to be based much more on power than on faith.
You seem, if I understand it, to be saying that while there is a non-personified godhead, the act of worshipping it and encouraging others to do so automatically results in corruption.
God exists, but we should ignore him?
Interesting indeed.

[Mad hatters in jeans]

I Also know how to Explain the parting of the red sea if you wish to know

So do I... It didn't happen.

actually there is a theory that goes:
the translation of the "red sea" is incorrect, and actually refers to an area of the egress of the River nile area the "reed sea". at that time there are records of a volcano erupting and the mysterious annihilation of an entire civilisation on one of the Ex-Islands (where myths of Atlantis seem to be in abundance) in the med, this eruption was gigantic i'm talking huuuge thus causing a great tidal wave.

The thing about these big waves is they draw all water in first on the coast they're about to hit, ie the part where Moses parts the red sea, thus his people get across, and of course for the big wave to hit it would take maybe half an hour to an hour to hit, leaving enough time for people to escape across. and quite possibly show the destruction of an army of chariots.



or alternatively the story never happened but the sea being drawn in would be incredibly rare and the giant wave afterward would be good food for a story.

[Farnhamia]

I'm going to break one of my own rules and jump in on this one. The question should be;
Is God Real or Imagined?

The Answer of course is Both. As to Organized religion...I will give the following quote:

"Repetition does not transform a lie into truth"
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
1882 — 1945

In my enlightened opinion; I believe the following:
God is the creator of the universe; the power with no name, force responsible for the creation of all living and non-living things, symbolized by the Sun on Earth as the strongest form of that power.

It is only by an attempt of one who seeks power to control the population of his people; through the pretense of declaring himself a Prophet, that he gathers supporters and by doing so creates a nice flock of sheep. Sheep do what they are told; and if not, the Prophet and his supporters use every means to ensure obedience. Laws and customs purported to be "from God" are created and enforced. An entire ruling class over time is created as a result. This ruling class either directly or indirectly controls the governance of a nation of peoples. This creates the perversion of truth, but the sheep fall for the same repeated lie until it is ingrained into the heart and mind of the nation.

Thankfully; there are those that are enlightened and see the lie for what it is.

Indeed. Organized religions do tend to be based much more on power than on faith.
You seem, if I understand it, to be saying that while there is a non-personified godhead, the act of worshipping it and encouraging others to do so automatically results in corruption.
God exists, but we should ignore him?
Interesting indeed.

I do enjoy sweeping generalizations like "Organized religions do tend to be based much more on power than on faith." And very dismissive of millions of people, too.

As for corruption arising out of worshipping a deity and encouraging others to do so, that never happened when I was a goddess in Lagash. It wouldn't have, the penalties were too severe. Certainly there can be and often is corruption in organizaed religion, but I don't know that it follows one from the other.

[Deus in Machina]

Indeed. Organized religions do tend to be based much more on power than on faith.
You seem, if I understand it, to be saying that while there is a non-personified godhead, the act of worshipping it and encouraging others to do so automatically results in corruption.
God exists, but we should ignore him?
Interesting indeed.

I do enjoy sweeping generalizations like "Organized religions do tend to be based much more on power than on faith." And very dismissive of millions of people, too.

As for corruption arising out of worshipping a deity and encouraging others to do so, that never happened when I was a goddess in Lagash. It wouldn't have, the penalties were too severe. Certainly there can be and often is corruption in organizaed religion, but I don't know that it follows one from the other.

You're right, that was a sweeping generalization. I apologize for it and retract it. While it is true of my experience with religions, I acknowledge the possibility of realities that contradict my experience.
I agree that religion doesn't automatically lead to corruption of faith, I was merely saying that was my interpretation of Aryan Shield's post.

[Aryan Shield]

That's one "God is the Universe, Religion Sucks." Check. Your group is over in the second balcony, on the right.

Oh good; we get a nice view from here. Thank you! It's nice to know scientists are welcome.

[Farnhamia]

That's one "God is the Universe, Religion Sucks." Check. Your group is over in the second balcony, on the right.

Oh good; we get a nice view from here. Thank you! It's nice to know scientists are welcome.

The scientists are down front, in the orchestra.

[The Truth and Light]

Oh good; we get a nice view from here. Thank you! It's nice to know scientists are welcome.

The scientists are down front, in the orchestra.

Where do the laid back religious people go? The kind who don't care what you believe?

[Aryan Shield]

You seem, if I understand it, to be saying that while there is a non-personified godhead, the act of worshipping it and encouraging others to do so automatically results in corruption.
God exists, but we should ignore him?
Interesting indeed.

The Non-Personified Godhead you speak of is a creation of the mind to explain the things we do not yet understand. I am saying that God is the power behind the creation of all things and is certainly not human; nor to be worshiped and that worshiping anything man made; corrupts man.

We are a part of this great creation as much as the stars in the sky; the soil at our feet, and the leaf on a tree. All matter and energy, and all anti-matter and anti-energy as well as all other products of creation are a result of this power I speak of. It is everything and is in everything and the power that created it is to be revered and respected; not worshiped. How can you ignore the wind?

The universe is a big place and we are so insignificant that it is impossible for us not to be in awe of this power.
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/index.html
But the idea that this little blue speck around a typical sun is cause for the attention of God in any way after its creation is astounding. Look up; look outwards for that is the power of this God Eternal and ours to explore and understand. I hope that clears things up.

[Farnhamia]

The scientists are down front, in the orchestra.

Where do the laid back religious people go? The kind who don't care what you believe?

They usually hang around the concessions stand.

[Aryan Shield]

As for corruption arising out of worshipping a deity and encouraging others to do so, that never happened when I was a goddess in Lagash. It wouldn't have, the penalties were too severe. Certainly there can be and often is corruption in organizaed religion, but I don't know that it follows one from the other.

That was a good one; nicely done!

[The Truth and Light]

Where do the laid back religious people go? The kind who don't care what you believe?

They usually hang around the concessions stand.

Ah.
*nom*

[Farnhamia]

As for corruption arising out of worshipping a deity and encouraging others to do so, that never happened when I was a goddess in Lagash. It wouldn't have, the penalties were too severe. Certainly there can be and often is corruption in organizaed religion, but I don't know that it follows one from the other.

That was a good one; nicely done!

They were some good times, yes.

[The Truth and Light]

That was a good one; nicely done!

They were some good times, yes.

Do you know Zeus? Me and him go way back. Well, up until he got cocky being worshipped.


Which Goddess are you? We might know eachother.

[Deus in Machina]

You seem, if I understand it, to be saying that while there is a non-personified godhead, the act of worshipping it and encouraging others to do so automatically results in corruption.
God exists, but we should ignore him?
Interesting indeed.

The Non-Personified Godhead you speak of is a creation of the mind to explain the things we do not yet understand. I am saying that God is the power behind the creation of all things and is certainly not human; nor to be worshiped and that worshiping anything man made; corrupts man.

That's kind of (read: exactly) what I meant by non-personified.

We are a part of this great creation as much as the stars in the sky; the soil at our feet, and the leaf on a tree. All matter and energy, and all anti-matter and anti-energy as well as all other products of creation are a result of this power I speak of. It is everything and is in everything and the power that created it is to be revered and respected; not worshiped. How can you ignore the wind?

Your point of view might be easier to understand if you skipped the poetry and spoke plainly. Also, there's no such thing as anti-energy.

The universe is a big place and we are so insignificant that it is impossible for us not to be in awe of this power.
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/index.html
But the idea that this little blue speck around a typical sun is cause for the attention of God in any way after its creation is astounding. Look up; look outwards for that is the power of this God Eternal and ours to explore and understand. I hope that clears things up.

It doesn't. Maybe I'm just dense.

[Farnhamia]

They were some good times, yes.

Do you know Zeus? Me and him go way back. Well, up until he got cocky being worshipped.


Which Goddess are you? We might know eachother.

Zeus made a pass at me once, I had to slap his face. I liked Athena but wearing armor all the time was a bit much. I made a pass at her once and she looked at me like I was crazy.

I was Bau, the Lady of Abundance, Patroness of Lagash, Girsu and Nimen. The whole dog thing is a long, complicated story, don't ask. I did love the Sumerians, though. It broke my heart when I had to leave for Egypt the last time, but times had changed and the civilized lords of Kiengir, the black-headed people, were no more and it was time to go.

[Norstal]

Do you know Zeus? Me and him go way back. Well, up until he got cocky being worshipped.


Which Goddess are you? We might know eachother.

Zeus made a pass at me once, I had to slap his face. I liked Athena but wearing armor all the time was a bit much. I made a pass at her once and she looked at me like I was crazy.

I was Bau, the Lady of Abundance, Patroness of Lagash, Girsu and Nimen. The whole dog thing is a long, complicated story, don't ask. I did love the Sumerians, though. It broke my heart when I had to leave for Egypt the last time, but times had changed and the civilized lords of Kiengir, the black-headed people, were no more and it was time to go.

You're not related to Jesus are you?

[Johz]

I Don't believe in him, but neither argument can be proved

The case against him gets better all the time.

Yah, and the God we (at least as Christians) worship is pushed smaller and smaller until we are left with a god who just wouldn't mind if some people were, you know, a bit nicer to each other, although don't worry if you can't really be bothered, 'cause it's not like I can actually do anything. Although then again, I suppose in another way, we're getting closer to the real meaning of (our) God; not some being that makes thunder and lightning, and does other menial tasks, but a god through whom these things happen, in order that we might love him. In the same way that, when making one of them dolls house things, you don't sit there and hold everything together. You build it so that it can work on it's own while you do the important stuff of playing with the dolls.

Not that I play with dolls...

Much...

[The Truth and Light]

Do you know Zeus? Me and him go way back. Well, up until he got cocky being worshipped.


Which Goddess are you? We might know eachother.

Zeus made a pass at me once, I had to slap his face. I liked Athena but wearing armor all the time was a bit much. I made a pass at her once and she looked at me like I was crazy.

I was Bau, the Lady of Abundance, Patroness of Lagash, Girsu and Nimen. The whole dog thing is a long, complicated story, don't ask. I did love the Sumerians, though. It broke my heart when I had to leave for Egypt the last time, but times had changed and the civilized lords of Kiengir, the black-headed people, were no more and it was time to go.

My name is Molek. I no longer have the head of a cow, since I have decided to mature past the need of sacrifices. Using my powers to help humanity is sufficient.

The reason I am here is because I wanted to incarnate as a human for the lulz.

Do you remember the days when Jehovah wasn't a hermit? He used to be so nice.

[Farnhamia]

Zeus made a pass at me once, I had to slap his face. I liked Athena but wearing armor all the time was a bit much. I made a pass at her once and she looked at me like I was crazy.

I was Bau, the Lady of Abundance, Patroness of Lagash, Girsu and Nimen. The whole dog thing is a long, complicated story, don't ask. I did love the Sumerians, though. It broke my heart when I had to leave for Egypt the last time, but times had changed and the civilized lords of Kiengir, the black-headed people, were no more and it was time to go.

You're not related to Jesus are you?

No. My offspring stayed out of things spiritual. So did I, really, when I was Bau I looked after fertility and healing and such. All the woo about insubstantial things like heaven is just that, woo.

[Bosiu]

Is doubt a good thing to have?

[Farnhamia]

Zeus made a pass at me once, I had to slap his face. I liked Athena but wearing armor all the time was a bit much. I made a pass at her once and she looked at me like I was crazy.

I was Bau, the Lady of Abundance, Patroness of Lagash, Girsu and Nimen. The whole dog thing is a long, complicated story, don't ask. I did love the Sumerians, though. It broke my heart when I had to leave for Egypt the last time, but times had changed and the civilized lords of Kiengir, the black-headed people, were no more and it was time to go.

My name is Molek. I no longer have the head of a cow, since I have decided to mature past the need of sacrifices. Using my powers to help humanity is sufficient.


Do you remember the days when Jehovah wasn't a hermit? He used to be so nice.

Nice? I never liked him, he always had a chip on his shoulder and a needier son of a bitch I never met. His wife was nice. had the sense to leave him, too.

I'm glad you've given up that diet of burned babies. It never was a particularly attractive aspect of your cult.

[The Truth and Light]

My name is Molek. I no longer have the head of a cow, since I have decided to mature past the need of sacrifices. Using my powers to help humanity is sufficient.


Do you remember the days when Jehovah wasn't a hermit? He used to be so nice.

Nice? I never liked him, he always had a chip on his shoulder and a needier son of a bitch I never met. His wife was nice. had the sense to leave him, too.

I guess he just doesn't like women that much.